Actor James Shigeta Dead at 81

Actor James Shigeta, best known for his roles in 'Die Hard' and 'Flower Drum Song,' is dead at age 81.

Variety reports that the Shigeta, one of the first prominent Asian-American actors, passed away Monday (July 28). Over the course of his 50-year career, Shigeta appeared in dozens of television shows and many notable movies. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Shigeta is well-recognized for his role as the chief executive of the Nakatomi corporation in 1988's 'Die Hard.'

Shigeta was born in Honolulu, went on to study acting at NYU and later joined the Marines. He made his film debut in 'The Crimson Kimono' in 1959. Over the course of the next five decades, he appeared in television shows such as 'Hawaii Five-O,' 'Little House on the Prairie,' 'The Love Boat,' 'Magnum, P.I.,' and 'Murder, She Wrote.' His roster of movie appearances is equally impressive and includes parts in 'Flower Drum Song,' 'Midway,' Elvis Presley's 'Paradise, Hawaiian Style' and 'Mulan.'

In 1960, the Golden Globes named him "most promising newcomer," an honor he shared with Barry Coe, Troy Donahue and George Hamilton.